The Washington critic., 1887-09-13
WASHINGTON. SEPT. l3, 1887.
IN Address TO THE COUNTRY.

Columbia.
The fact that such action is neces-
sary is TO be deplored but the scan
dalous misinforma,ion that Is scattered
broadcast concerning the District Is
based on false accusations and mali
cious criticism of methods, thereby
doing our people a great injustice.
The vandals who are engaged In
tearing down the good name of the
National Capital have not sustained
their charges. most Of which are of too
small consequence to be needed by sen.
sible, broad minded people; yet they
are sufficient and numerous enough to
raise doubts and misapprehension re.
garding the situation In the minds OF
many people unacquainted with the
nature of our city government.
Charges of maladministration are
calculated to injure any municipality,
whether well founded or otherwise,
because the general public and persons
at q distance are much more apt to
hear the allegations than the denials
and disproof of the same
Fortunately, the gentlemen having
charge of the preparation of the address
can make an excellent showing-one
that cannot be equaled by any other
city in the country, or, perhaps, in the
world.
Within dozen years the city has
been raised from little more than
muddy and provincial village TO
magnificent city, with more miles of
asphalt pavements and better sewer
system than those of any other large
city In the Union, and with more than
quarter of million inhabitants. The
increasing popularity of Washington
as a city Of residences Is shown by its
Iapid growth In population.
The census Of 1880 indicated an In
crease Of about 80 per cent. in ten
years, and the census taken by the
police In 1886 showed that the percent
age of increase was not diminished.
Besides the natural desire of persons
OF means to reside in the National
Capital, there are other and more SUBJ
stantial inducements offered to people
to locate here.
The real estate tax OF II per cent. on
property assessed at half Its value Is
much lower rate of taxation than can
be found elsewhere. In addition to
this the public improvements are all
free and paid for out Of tue tax, and
what Congress contributes in the
nature of tax on the property of the
United States.
Our city government is the most ac-
cessible to the people, methodical in
Its workings and conservative in its
policy of any In the world We are
spared the unpleasant and distractlng
features that universally attend muni-
cipal elections; no District appolntee
is awarded position for merely parti.
san reasons; nor Is u compulsory to
keep or remove any subordinate on
account of political considerations.
This results In the city having faithful
and efficient service-men In authority,
who hold their Office during good be-
layior. Every District Commissioner
for years has said that the Dlstric,
gets first. class service for second class
pay, and the fact that so much has
been done for the city In compare
lively short period, speaks louder than
words for the advantages Of our form
of government.
1t is proper that the country at large
should have better understanding OF
this matter; that the Misrepresentation
which have gone abroad should be cor =
Tected, that the calumnies with which
the District authorities have been as.
sailed should be shown up In their true
light; that the full nature of our gov
ernmental system. and Its manifold
benefits. should be made known, and
the desirabllity of still further improv
Ing and beautifying the seat Of govern
ment impressed with force and EN-
pbasis upon the public mind, Tn,
committee has herein an important re
sponsibilty to discharge and we have
no doubt 1t will be well doae
THE interview held with the Die
.trict Commissioners yesterday by tht
gentlemen of the Water supply AMI
Sewerage Committee forcihly illustrate
the advantages that are certain 10 nc
.crue to the general public through
amicable eintercb0ngCs Of opinion, Tn,
Citizens Representative Committee cal
rest assured that such Information as
desires TO obtain from the Commission
ers will be freely accorded, and tha
such suggestions as it may desire t
make will he given respectful con
sideIatlon. There are few complaint
on the part of citizens that cannot b
satisfactorily adjusted by friendly con
sultation; while blind und reckless con
demnation Of the District authorities 1
always sure TO defeat its own object
The Commissioner win not turn ;
deaf ear TO any responsible address o
petition; but they cannot reasonably b
.expected-in fact, they would ind
wholly out of the qucslon-to b
guided in their action by the noisy an
denupolatory clamor OF indlvldut
fault finders.
COMMISSIONER CoLMAN of the Agr
cultural Department returns fror
Kansas gratifed to the point of enthu
.siasm with the results of the exper
ments recently had at Fort Scott
making sorghum sugar by the ne'
diffusion or saturation process, whlc
he considers vastly superior to oil til
old methods and us settling the sugg